List of Forthcoming Indian Cultural Events in Washington DC Area

October 15, 2009 - January 29, 2010

Blue Like Me: The Work of Siona Benjamin

Washington, DC - The Ann Loeb Bronfman Gallery at the Washington, DCJCC presents an exhibition of paintings by artist Siona Benjamin, on display from October 15, 2009 through January 29, 2010. Originally from Bombay, the works reflect the artist's Jewish upbringing in predominantly Hindu and Muslim India. The Opening Reception will be 5:30--7:30 pm on October 15, 2009. In addition, the public is invited stay for the artist's talk at 7:00 pm.

Benjamin's paintings combine the imagery of her past with the role she plays in America today. The dualities of these roles create a mosaic inspired by Indian miniature paintings as well as Jewish and Christian illuminated manuscripts. In Benjamin's work, the women of the bible are brought forth to combat the wars and violence of the world today. Utilizing narrative and theatrical aspects, Benjamin reflects and celebrates womanhood, diversity, and tolerance.

"[Benjamin's] art is in the great tradition of the biblical prophets: equal measures of protest, prayer and cri de coeur. It's hard to tell whether we should read her characters as blue, or her art as a form of the blues, passionately riffing on the Bible in a wonderfully modern idiom," said Rabbi Burton L. Visotzky, Appleman Professor of Midrash and Interreligious Studies, Jewish Theological Seminary, New York. "This is not an art of separation, of Us vs. Them. It is, rather, a canvas on which the common unity of all humanity is drawn, in the image and likeness of the One-God-Who-Loves."

The Ann Loeb Bronfman Gallery, a program of the Washington DCJCC, offers exhibitions and programs that enhance Jewish identity, examine issues of social importance and develop community. Through exhibitions, the Gallery seeks to present authentic artwork and artifacts that address themes of social consciousness and cultural awareness. Multi-disciplinary programs are created and promoted to reflect public experience and expand the reach of each exhibition to a variety of age and cultural groups.

For further details please visit www.washingtondcjcc.org

November 1, 2009

`Laughter Yoga’

Dance to Health Society and Montgomery County, Maryland, are offering `Laughter Yoga’ classes. Laughter fitness includes breathing techniques, memory enhancement and laughter exercises. It reduces stress, calms the mind, relieves anxiety, reduces depression, increases energy and improves concentration, thus enhancing and rejuvenating brain power, culminating in overall health. There will be a total of 9 lessons. 

Time: Tuesdays, 7:15 to 8:00 p.m until November 17.

Venue: Potomac Community Center, 11315 Falls Road, Potomac, MD.

For further details: Mrs. Kumud Mathur at 301-299-3334 or go to www.dance2health.com

November 1, 2009

Bollywood/Bhangra dance classes

The Montgomery County Department of Recreation and Dance to Health Society are offering Bollywood/Bhangra dance classes. Learn dance while doing aerobic exercise. Join the class and enjoy the latest fashionable trend, with other styles of dance such as Bhangra, Ghoomar, Dandia and Kathak.

Time: Tuesdays, 8:00 to 9:00 p.m., until November 17.

Venue: Potomac Community Center, 11315 Falls Road, Potomac, MD

For further details: Mrs. Kumud Mathur at 301-299-3334, www.dance2health.com

November 1, 2009

Kuchipudi Dance Classes

Kuchipudi dance classes by Subha Maruvada, student of Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam, will be offered on weekends. Kuchipudi dance and Naatyasaastra workshops for summer 2009 will be offered by Ravi Shankar Vempati, of Chennai. 

Time: Saturdays, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., Sundays, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., all of November

Venue: Saturdays: Swan Ballet Studio, 13655-B Lee Jackson Memorial Highway, Chantilly, VA. Sundays: Clarksville, MD.

For further details: 301-448-0719 or 301-693-1633, www.aahaarya.org or e-mail aahaarya@gmail.com

November 7, 2009

Dhoonya Dance’s "BOLLYB!end 2: A Night at the Bollywood Film Awards"

Dhoonya Dance presents "BOLLYB!end 2: A Night at the Bollywood Film Awards". Dhoonya Dance Performance Company, the premiere Bollywood-inspired, South Asian Dance troupe in Washington DC and New York City metro areas, is hosting a Bollywood-style red carpet event.

Time: Saturday, Nov. 7th at 8pm (Doors open at 7:30)

Venue: Montgomery College Takoma Park/Silver Spring Performing Arts Center, 7995 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD

For further details: www.dhoonyadance.com or call 703.678.8700

November 10, 2009

Performance by Kailash Kher

Bollywood hits Washington this Fall with a performance by mega star Kailash Kher and the band Kailasa. His concert in the nation’s capital is being organized by the Washington Performing Arts Society.

Time: 8:00 p.m. 

Venue: Lisner Auditorium, The George Washington University, 730 21st Street, NW, Washington, DC. 

For further details: www.ticketmaster.com or 202-397-7328 (SEAT), www.wpas.org

November 14, 2009

Asia Society’s Celebrating Children on Children’s Day Event – Co-sponsored by the Gandhi Memorial Center

Two family oriented workshops (ages 5 and up) with local Indian artists.

Time: 2-4:30, Saturday November 14th.

Venue: Gandhi Memorial Center, 4748 Western Avenue, Bethesda, MD. 

For further details: 301-320-6871; www.gandhimemorialcenter.org

Indian Dance Educators Association, presents “Dance Festival of India 2009” cosponsored by Embassy of India & Arlington Cultural affairs

The highly-anticipated Dance Festival of India 2009 takes the theme, Traditions in Translation, with a focus on traditional dances from India as they are re-interpreted for the 21st century audience. This exciting 3 days event will present world renowned guest artists from India presenting a wide range of classical dance styles: Kathak by Pundit Rajendra Gangani; Sattriya Dance by Sattriya Dance Company; Mohinyattam by Vijayalakshmi, and Kuchipudi by Vempati Ravishankar. The festival will also feature full length productions by area dancers in Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Manipuri, Odissi, and Kuchipudi. This year's festival includes, for the first time, documentary films provided by Embassy of India, on classical dance as an educational component. 


Time: Nov. 21st, 3:30 & 6:30 PM, Nov. 22nd, 12 & 3 PM, Nov. 20th, 7:30 PM. 

Venue: Thomas Jefferson Theater, Arlington, VA, 22204. 

For further information: www.ideadancers.org or contact 703-532-5479